Witcher 4 Leaks: New Protagonist, Darker Tone & Release Date Rumors

The Witcher 4 (Polaris) Leaks – Everything We Know

The next great Witcher saga is brewing—here's what we know so far.

CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed the next chapter in the Witcher franchise, code-named Project Polaris, and thanks to a mix of developer interviews, insider leaks, and accidental reveals, we now have a pretty exciting (and slightly chaotic) picture of what The Witcher 4 might be shaping up to be.

From a new protagonist and a darker tone inspired by horror films, to dynamic open world changes and a possible 2026 release window, here's your deep-dive into everything we know about The Witcher 4.

Not "The Witcher 4" – But the Start of a Whole New Saga

Let’s get this out of the way: CDPR is intentionally not calling this game The Witcher 4. Why? Because this isn’t just a continuation—it’s the beginning of a brand-new trilogy. Polaris is meant to kick off a fresh Witcher saga with new stories, new mechanics, and a world designed from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5.

And yeah, it’s a big one: over 400 developers are working on it, and CDPR says this is their next major flagship project.

Who's the Protagonist? Ciri? A Custom Witcher? Geralt?!

Here’s the juicy part. Based on recent leaks, Polaris won’t star Geralt—at least not as the lead. His story seems to have wrapped up (though he may return in cameos, flashbacks, or as a mentor figure). Voice actor Doug Cockle has both hinted and walked back talk of Geralt's return, but it’s safe to say he won’t be the focus.

So who is? The leading theory points to Ciri, especially since the new Witcher medallion CDPR teased is shaped like a lynx, and in Witcher lore, Ciri is said to have started her own Witcher school post-Witcher 3—likely the School of the Lynx.

However, CDPR also teased something big: custom character creation. Game director Sebastian Kalemba mentioned “freedom,” “player builds,” and “starting from the construction of the character.” That strongly suggests we’ll create our own Witcher, perhaps in the spirit of Cyberpunk 2077's “V”—someone with a personality, not just a blank slate.

A hybrid approach (custom Witcher + Ciri involvement) is very possible—and exciting.

New Characters & Leaked Casting: Meet Branco

Thanks to casting leaks, we know about at least one new character—Branco, described as a “world-weary warrior” tied to Ciri’s journey. He’s played by British actor Jake Lampert, and early details paint him as a gruff but wise figure, possibly a mentor or ally character. Think “young Vesemir” vibes.

More character reveals are expected soon, especially with production ramping up and the first real trailer likely not too far off.

A Bigger, More Reactive World

Polaris will feature the biggest world CDPR has ever built. They’re taking advantage of Unreal Engine 5 to create a dynamic open world where regions, villages, and even entire cities change based on your decisions.

Expect new regions far beyond the ones seen in Witcher 3, including Kovir and Poviss, untouched southern territories of Nilfgaard, and even some brand-new original zones created just for the game.

This isn't just a map refresh—it’s a systemic evolution that promises more replayability, more narrative freedom, and more world impact.

Darker Tone Inspired by A24 Horror

In one of the more unexpected twists, Witcher 4’s development team has cited A24 horror films like The Witch and The Lighthouse as inspirations for the game’s tone.

That means psychological horror, unsettling characters, and creepy supernatural elements might play a much larger role in Polaris than in previous Witcher games.

If you thought the Botchling in Witcher 3 was disturbing… you haven’t seen anything yet.

Geralt's Return? Maybe. Probably Not.

Let’s talk about the White Wolf. Geralt might show up, but all signs suggest it’ll be in a limited, supporting role—maybe a flashback, a legend NPC, or a quiet mentor appearance. CDPR has been clear: the new trilogy is moving past Geralt as the centerpiece.

And while some fans might mourn his departure, this could be the clean break the series needs. After all, the Witcher world is rich enough to carry forward—especially with the right balance of old and new.

Leaked Release Date: 2025 Reveal, 2026 Launch?

Here’s what we know:

• Actor Jake Lampert (Branco) listed Polaris’ release as 2025 in his resume.
• Around the same time, GOG (CDPR’s own game platform) quietly listed the game with a December 31, 2025 placeholder—usually code for “sometime that year.”
• That lines up with what CDPR said back in 2022: the game was at least 3 years away, putting it squarely in 2025-2026 territory.

Most experts (and fans) are betting on a 2026 launch, with a full trailer or gameplay reveal coming in late 2025.

Recap

• ✅ New protagonist – Ciri? Custom Witcher? Maybe both.
• ✅ Geralt’s role – Minimal or cameo. No longer the lead.
• ✅ New characters – Branco is confirmed via casting leak.
• ✅ New Witcher School – The School of the Lynx.
• ✅ Unreal Engine 5 – Big tech leap. Massive open world.
• ✅ Darker tone – Inspired by psychological horror films.
• ✅ 2025 reveal, 2026 launch – Looking more likely by the week.

A New Era Begins

If the leaks and dev quotes hold true, The Witcher 4 (Polaris) is shaping up to be a bold evolution, not just another sequel. A new hero, a darker story, and a more reactive world might just give fans the fresh start they didn’t know they needed.

So whether you're team Ciri, team custom Witcher, or just itching to explore Kovir for the first time—Polaris looks like the beginning of something special.

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